A TEENAGER from Ross High School made his Scottish Premiership Football League (SPFL) debut for Hearts’ first team on Sunday. . . before sitting his English exam the next day!

On Sunday, Leeroy Makovora, 16, came on as a second-half substitute for the Jambos in their 1-0 defeat to Kilmarnock in Ayrshire.

Leeroy played almost half an hour for former Scotland national team manager Craig Levein’s side in their last league game of the season – just weeks after penning his first professional contract with the Edinburgh club.

Yet less than 24 hours later, the S4 pupil was back at school sitting his National 5 English exam.

Leeroy’s rise to the professional game as a centre forward is all the more remarkable considering the ex-Tranent Colts ace played as a goalkeeper for years.

West Windygoul Gardens resident Leeroy posted on Twitter that it was a “dream come true” to make his Hearts debut, adding: “Hopefully more good things to come”.

Ross High School headteacher Paul Reynolds was full of praise for him.

He told the Courier: “As well as being a very intelligent and polite lad, Leeroy has played football for the school for the last four years.

“It is no surprise that he has helped the team to many successes over the years.

“Leeroy was and is a joy to watch on the football pitch, seemingly with a never-ending engine.

“We were all thrilled that he made his debut on Sunday, with Ross High School Twitter feeds going crazy sharing in his success.”

And on him returning to school the next day for his exam, Mr Reynolds added: “What a whirlwind few days he is having.”

Joe Moore, principal teacher at Ross High and coach of the school football team, added: “Leeroy is one of the hardest-working players I have had the privilege of working with.

“He also puts in so much work off the pitch – Leeroy frequently would attend Hearts training an hour or two before he was scheduled to get in extra practice, training or to work in the gym.”

And while he’s making waves on the football pitch, Mr Moore added that the teenager was equally capable in the classroom, adding: “He frequently meets deadlines and has shown a high attainment.”

Phil Purves, chairman of Tranent Colts and his former coach, said: “Leeroy started with us when he was seven years old: a great kid with a great attitude for the game.

“He played for us mainly in goals for four years and what a keeper [he was] – a great all-round athlete.

“He would, however, have a run outfield at times and again stood out.”

And Mr Purves told how Leeroy’s talented was quickly spotted.

“I started coaching the team he was in with Paddy Fraser when they were going from soccer 7s to 11-a-side, and then for a season at 11-a-side we played him as an attacking midfielder.

“That’s when Hearts started watching him.

“Then I got the phone call from Hearts asking to get him along for a trial then asking to sign him.

“I am over the moon for him and his family and hope he goes on to have a very successful career as a professional football player.

“Hopefully Sunday was the start of a very successful career.”

Leeroy has now left school to take up a two-year contract with Hearts.